Recycle Your Beach Junk

[Kurt]

We've talked for many years about the increase in junk on the beach. Cheap items that are "disposable" and left behind every day to litter our beaches - buckets, shovels, chairs, nets, and even umbrellas and tents.

Here is a message from Treasure in Paradise in Grayton Beach. They recently moved from Blue Mountain Beach. They are now in the old Sirens spot just north of Scenic 30A and Shops of Grayton in the little plaza on the left.

Beach gear recycling program at Treasure in Paradise in Grayton. At the end of their stay visitors can bring in boogie boards, chairs, umbrellas etc. for store credit. Trying to keep that stuff out of the landfill and lots of folks can't take it home with them. Help spread the word.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Treasure-in-Paradise/333174263923

1414, County Hwy 283 S
Grayton Beach, Florida
(850) 231-1991

 

[steel1man]

My wife brings this stuff home every morning....bags and bags of beach stuff..why??? Only she knows...I told her to open a beach stuff stand aka lemonade stand
And sell to ALL the touro's that walk by daily. Then give money to charity...so far nothing yet...

 

[Treasure in Paradise]

Chanel 13 news also picked up on this story watch tonight to see more. Thanks to everyone who has helped spread the news. Maybe we can make a impact this Spring Break. Look out they will be here this weekend!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Treasure-in-Paradise/333174263923

 

[Teresa]

This is good! What will you do with all the stuff? I hope people will make the effort to drop off their stuff. Keep us posted!

 

[Treasure in Paradise]

Here is the news story! Thanks for getting the word out. We look forward to reporting on how it is working out.


http://www.mypanhandle.com/story/d/...-in-south-walton/67925/4e4sBVC6AEO95ZcosN9ybQ

 

[Teresa]

Walton County's Leave No Trace ordinance makes sure that anything left on the beach is gone by the morning.

The amount of leftover trash from visitors can really accumulate, but that trash can be treasure to the right person.

"Pretty much everything has to come off the beach every night so that the turtles aren't impacted," said Jim Bagby, Executive Director of Visit South Walton. "And the secondary reason is everybody likes a beautiful, pristine beach. They don't like to wake up in the morning and see a bunch of trash."

They collect everything from umbrellas to boogie boards, making sure there's no trace of human activity that can be seen on the beaches or hinder the sea turtles.

"Hearing the turtle people talk about how much gets thrown out and how much is in the way of turtles and then seeing the guys that clean up the beach, I mean they would come with their pick up trucks just full of stuff off the beach everyday," said Gail Underwood, Owner of Treasure in Paradise located in Grayton Beach. "There just has to be something we as locals can do about this."

Then last summer, Underwood had an idea of a way to help recycle those common beach items.

Instead of leaving stuff like this on the beach, they can bring it to Treasure in Paradise and sell it for store credit.

Any items that are in good condition are then sold back to the public at a reduced rate to hopefully start the recycling cycle all over again.

"It just seemed like a small way to start," said Underwood. "Maybe we can make an impact."

The public can bring in a variety of things from umbrellas and boogie boards to chairs and even pool noodles. Treasure in Paradise is located off County Highway 283 South in Grayton Beach. They can be reached at 850-231-1991.